Background:Hamstring muscle strains represent a common and disabling athletic injury with variable recurrence rates and prolonged recovery times.Objectives:To present the outcomes of a novel rehabilitation protocol for the treatment of proximal hamstring strains in an intercollegiate sporting population and to determine any significant differences in the rate of reinjury and time to return to sport based on patient and injury characteristics.Study Design:Retrospective case series.Methods:A retrospective review was performed of 48 consecutive hamstring strains in intercollegiate athletes. The rehabilitation protocol consisted of early mobilization, with flexible progression through supervised drills. Athletes were allowed to return to sport after return of symmetrical strength and range of motion with no pain during sprinting. Primary outcomes included time to return to sport and reinjury rates.Results:All patients returned to their sports, and 3 sustained repeat hamstring strains (6.2% reinjury rate) after a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The average number of days missed from sport was 11.9 (range, 5-23 days). There was no statistically significant difference for time to return to sport between first-time and recurrent injuries and between first- and second-degree injuries (P > 0.05).Conclusions:Grade I and II hamstring strains may be aggressively treated with a protocol of brief immobilization followed by early initiation of running and isokinetic exercises—with an average expected return to sport of approximately 2 weeks and with a relatively low reinjury rate regardless of injury grade (I or II), injury characteristics (including first-time and recurrent injuries), or athlete characteristics.

In brief Inflammation of the iliotibial brief band at the lateral femoral epicondyle-called iliotibial band syndrome-can be treated effectively with a two-phase conservative regimen. Phase 1, for treating the initial symptoms, involves anti-inflammatory drugs, icing, stretching, and using a knee immobilizer and crutches. In phase 2, which focuses on return to activity, the patient continues the stretches and runs to the point of feeling iliotibial band tightness, but not pain.